Behind the Velvet Curtain
selected images : 1992 - 2003

James Fassinger photographs the interesting, and often overlooked, everyday lives of people in less frequented parts of Europe. These subtle street scenes, whether humorous, mundane, romantic or tragic, lend themselves to the most important aspect of his work -- to capture images that reflect the emotion and humanity in all of us.

After obtaining his B.A. in Journalism from Central Michigan University, Fassinger gained most of his early photography experience through internships at newspapers in Michigan, before traveling to Prague in 1992 and signing on as staff photographer and, later, photo editor for Prognosis, the first English language newspaper of the Czech and Slovak Republics. During that time, the post communist era in former Czechoslovakia provided many opportunities for Fassinger to capture social and political changes during and after its split into the Czech and Slovak Republics, and to juxtapose the region's rich history with remnants of communist rule, as well as the emerging market economy. Many of his images depict the everyday life of Czechs and Slovaks living among some of the most beautiful and well-preserved examples of their cultural heritage. Limited editions of Fassinger's photographs may be found in collections throughout the United States and Europe.